Frugal. By Nature.

Putting an End to a Spending Streak

I’m writing this post not only to help you, but to help myself. Earlier this summer, I gave myself permission to shop… and well… I’ve been shopping all summer. It’s been fun, but it’s got to stop. My bank account is slowly being drained. Not good for a self-proclaimed “cheapskate.” I guess I’m human.

So I’ve brainstormed some ways to put an end to a spending streak. And I’ll be working on each one of these things. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I encourage you to join me in getting back on track.

Take a look at the numbers. Sit down with your receipts and get real. Put a number on what you’ve been spending. Take a look at your bank accounts. If you’re spending more than you earn, you know you’re in big trouble. If you’re just causing a slow drain on your savings, you’re on your way to trouble. This is your wake up call.

Don’t beat yourself up about your spending. What’s done is done. All you can do now is learn from your mistakes and if you have any debts, start working on paying them off. We all have reasons for splurging, and it’s okay to splurge sometimes. Just recognize when you need to keep it under check and move on.

Appreciate what you have. We have a lot of good things going on in our lives. We have good health, food in our pantry, and money in savings. We have an income and reliable vehicles. We’re doing okay. It’s time to realize all of the good things we have and not worry about buying things. We need to realize that most of the things we spend our money on are not needs, and that we could make do in many situations.

Figure out ways to distract yourself from spending money. Parents of tantrum-prone toddlers are masters of the art of distracting their children, so you can learn to distract yourself when it comes to splurging. Find some fun, free activities to keep you busy. Find a new great recipe you can make at home so that you’re not tempted to eat out. Setting goals for your money can also be a great way to help you curb frivolous spending.

I’d love to hear from you, too! What are some ways that you get back on track when you’ve fallen off the frugal wagon?